The Riverside Energy Park facility will be expected to take on 655,000 tonnes of landfill waste and use it to create energy.

However, MP for Rainham and Dagenham Jon Cruddas has expressed his outrage towards the development as he fears fumes from the plant will have a "severe impact on air quality" in his constituency across the Thames.

"Incineration is the least environmentally friendly form of waste disposal after landfill, and the energy produced by this scheme if approved is not enough to justify the negative impact it would have on the London Riverside Opportunity areas.

"Over the last five years recycling rates have stalled across the UK whilst government-approved waste incineration has doubled.

"The Tories seem to have a complete disregard for our environment and the quality of air we breathe," he said.

His petition mentions a Greater London Authority report which states the facility, if built, would be "detrimental to human health and biodiversity" and that it could have an "adverse impact on air quality" within Rainham.

However, chief operating officer at Cory Riverside Energy Julian Walker said extensive research conducted by the company shows the REP would not have any significant effect on air quality in the surrounding areas.

"As part of the application process, we have held extensive consultations. We have also fully assessed air quality and the results show the proposed energy park will not have any significant effect on air quality in any location – including areas north of the river.

"Separately, air quality impacts will also be independently scrutinised by the Environment Agency – as they are with our existing facility, which has been operating well below the emission limits at Belvedere since 2011.

"In addition, all emissions data will be made publicly available as is current practice with Cory’s existing facility.

"The agency will only award us the environmental permit required to operate if it is satisfied we can do so safely and meet emissions requirements," she said.

There have also been some ecological concerns raised regarding the loss of important animal habitats which Cory has been advised to expand upon in further stages of the planning process.

At this stage, the application has been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate with an examination authority set to be appointed to review the facility's feasibility.

Those who has registered to comment on the application will be able to do so before the plans are set to be examined.

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